News

72 cats seized from Riverside County man's home

The Associated Press

Posted:
02/26/2013 11:10:17 AM PST

Updated:
02/26/2013 11:10:18 AM PST

MENIFEE, Calif.—Authorities say there was that repulsive urine smell and overloaded litter boxes, but every one of the 72 cats seized at a man's home in Riverside County was spayed or neutered and well fed.

Animal Friends of the Valley spokeswoman Monique Middleton says the Menifee man was taking in unwanted cats and it just got out of control. She says he was not arrested so his name is being withheld. He is lone caretaker for his wife, who has health problems.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise ( http://bit.ly/WgnRwJ) says the man has turned over all the indoor cats to animal control officers but initially balked because he feared the cats would be killed.

An animal rescue group took a dozen cats and Ramona Humane Society took 60. Most are available for adoption.